Congress: Mayo-Belwa PDP stakeholders accuse council chair of disrespecting Fintiri’s directives
Stakeholders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State have accused the council chairman, Hon. Mahmud Kallamu, and some local party leaders of disregarding directives issued by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri regarding the conduct of the party’s recent congresses.
The aggrieved stakeholders voiced their grievances during a press conference held at the residence of Chief Elphas Irimiya Dabo in Mayo-Sanganare where they condemned what they described as “flagrant abuse of democratic principles” and manipulation of the process.
Chief Elphas, who led the delegation, said the irregularities that marred the congress were reported to Governor Fintiri, who directed all stakeholders to return to the drawing board and correct the observed flaws.
However, he lamented that despite the governor’s clear instructions, “nothing was done, and the same group continued to impose their will on the party.”
“We all promised His Excellency that we would go back and do the right thing. But to our greatest surprise, when we returned, the situation remained unchanged. The Governor’s directive has not been implemented. This is a deliberate attempt by Hon. Kallamu and his loyalists to destroy the PDP in Mayo-Belwa,” he said.
Chief Elphas, speaking on behalf of party leaders from the 12 wards in the LGA, described the actions of the chairman and a few associates as undemocratic. “Decisions meant to be taken by over 2,000 members were hijacked by two individuals,” he said, calling for the restoration of democracy and inclusiveness in the party.
He warned that if the irregularities were not addressed, the PDP risked internal division and electoral defeat in the coming elections. “If the foundation is faulty, nothing good will come out of it,” he stressed.
While reaffirming loyalty to the PDP and Governor Fintiri, Chief Elphas cautioned that the continued marginalization of genuine members could push them to reconsider their political future.
“If our cries are ignored, we may have no option but to leave the party for those who think they own it,” he said.
Other speakers at the press conference echoed the same concerns. Mal. Mohammed Jika Bub from Ribadu Ward described the refusal to implement the governor’s directive as “a direct act of disrespect to the Fresh Air Governor.”
Mal. Aminu Hamman, former PDP Chairman of Tola Ward, urged the Governor and the State Chairman, Alhaji Hamza Bello Madagali, to intervene before the crisis deepens.
Mal. Abdullahi Mai Kano from Ganfada Ward stated that ten stakeholders from each of the twelve wards were present to represent the aggrieved members. He accused the local leadership of violating the party’s constitution during the congress.
Mr. Japhet Labani from Bajama Ward noted that two parallel congresses were conducted in his ward, one loyal to Hon. Umaru Nashon and another led by 15 party elders, warning that such division spells danger for the PDP’s unity.
Similarly, Mrs. Minta Elam, a former PRO of the party in the LGA, lamented that loyal members who have stood by the PDP since 1999 were sidelined by newcomers “posing as power brokers.”
Hon. Danjuma Boniface and Mal. Umar Yaro also accused Hon. Nashon and Hon. Kallamu of running the PDP “like a private estate,” warning that their actions could lead to mass defections.
The stakeholders recalled that Governor Fintiri had earlier directed during a state-wide PDP stakeholders’ meeting that party executives who had served eight years should be swapped to strengthen internal democracy. However, they alleged that the instruction was ignored in Mayo-Belwa.
The twelve wards affected by the controversy include Mbilla, Ribadu, Ndikong, Gengle, Yoffo, Mayo-Farang, Nasarawo Jereng, Bajama, Gorobi, Tola, Binyeri, and Ganfada.
They appealed to Governor Fintiri and the PDP State Chairman to urgently intervene “to restore the Governor’s vision of fairness, equity, and inclusion” and prevent the party from collapsing in Mayo-Belwa.
